1000 will pass away, but
2000 won’t arrive...

 
A subject that is sometimes theme for film productions, the so-called the End of Days scared many people at the eve of 2000, like possibly occurred due to the year 1000 as well according to some historians, which originated the famous phrase: “1000 will pass away, but 2000 won’t arrive”.

In that occasion, the result of believing in the end of the world was a disaster. Nobody wanted to work or study anymore; no new work was started; the wealthy classes’ concern was to take the most of life, enjoy as much as possible, given that nothing else would exist in a short time...

The year 1000 arrived, however, and nothing took place. The Sun kept shining every day, the seasons came at their right time and the disappointment of some came along with the happiness of many, it was remarkable. The individuals interested in the perpetuation of the belief of the end of the world quickly found an excuse: there was an error of counting and the end of days would happen next year. One more year passed away and nothing happened. Other people then appeared, estranged or greedy, declaring that the date of a thousand years should be counted from Jesus’ death on and not from his birth – and everybody had to wait for more 33 years. Time passed again, 33 years, and nothing! Earth kept turning as usual, alive as never before, despite the explanations from the wise men of theology. The Millennium prophecy is over, finally, discredited, really demoralized, and the humankind returned to its normal rhythm of life.

There’s no reference to the date of extinction of our world anywhere within the sacred books. Everything that is spoken around in the name of many religions is more or less a repetition of the prophecy we’ve just mentioned. As the world hasn’t come to an end in the year 1000, who knows it couldn’t end in the year 2000? But what exists regarding the subject is a mere hypothesis.

Actually, according to evangelist Mark, Jesus affirmed, regarding this day and time, that “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark, 13:32). Then, if this planet’s extinction is supposed to happen someday, only God knows whether it will happen or not and when.

On the top of that, there’s another aspect to be considered related to the end of days. According to Matthews’ annotations, after the description of suffering, sadness and the general state of desolation that will fall over the planet, Jesus declared: “And a number of false prophets will come, causing error. And because wrongdoing will be increased, the love of most people will become cold. But he who goes through to the end will get salvation.

And this good news of the kingdom will be given through all the world for a witness to all nations; and then the end will come.” (Matthews, 24:11-14).

Such words mean that the end of the world will come when the Gospel is preached everywhere. Now, it doesn’t make any sense to suppose that God will destroy Earth exactly when it’s following the path of moral restoration by practicing the gospel teachings. Moreover: there’s nothing in Christ’s words that suggests the physical destruction of the planet, fact that, in such conditions, couldn’t be justified.

Allan Kardec, the Spiritism Codifier, gives another sense to the prophecy, in accordance to the Superior Spirits’ teachings regarding Earth and life in other planets. Obviously, Earth is still a very gross planet, a world of trials and expiations, in which evil prevails. Under it, in evolution terms, there are only primitive worlds; above it, there are three categories of planets: regeneration planets, happy planets and celestial planets. Our one has, therefore, a distant goal ahead, and the change expected for its elevation towards the level of regenerator world, where people authorized to get born in it will have the germ of the Christian Doctrine within themselves, which will provide delicious fruits abundantly.

Thus, it’s the end of the old world, a world governed by misconceptions, pride, selfishness, fanaticism, cupidity, and all sinful passions, to what Christ referred to saying: “When the gospel is preached to all nations then the end will come”.